Methods and systems for encouraging secure communications

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention enable a user to engage in secure communications using digital certificates and other cryptographic technologies in an easy way with a minimum of distracting interaction. In some embodiments of the present invention, webmail is enabled to allow users to obtain and use S/MIME certificates to secure his or her e-mails. Embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented to other forms of messaging, such as text messages, instant messages, etc.

1 . A method of maintaining a repository of preferences related to sending secure messages, said method comprising:
 storing a set of preferences in a cascade of repositories that are accessible by a set of messaging services used by a user; and   synchronizing the preferences among the cascade of repositories.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein storing the repositories comprises storing at least a portion of the repositories in locations accessible across an Internet network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein synchronizing the repositories comprises:
 recording a set of preferences changed by a first messaging service;   sending the set of changed preferences through a set of messages to a second messaging service;   identifying, at the second messaging service, the set of messages; and   updating a repository on the second messaging service with the set of changed preferences.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the repositories include information regarding a user's interactions with a plurality of messaging recipients. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the repositories comprise the messaging recipients' mail clients and mail gateways. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus comprising means configured to perform the method of claim  20   
     
     
         7 . A computer readable medium comprising executable program code for performing the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a memory;   a processor configured by executable instructions to store a set of preferences in a cascade of repositories that are accessible by a set of messaging services used by a user and to synchronize the preferences among the cascade of repositories.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the executable instructions to store the set of preferences in the cascade of repositories comprises executable instructions to store at least a portion of the repositories in locations accessible across an Internet network. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the executable instructions to synchronize said repositories comprises executable instructions:
 to record a set of preferences changed by a first messaging service;   to send the set of changed preferences through a set of messages to a second messaging service;   identify, at the second messaging service, the set of messages; and   update a repository on the second messaging service with the set of changed preferences.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the repositories include information regarding a user's interactions with a plurality of messaging recipients. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the repositories comprise the messaging recipients' mail clients and mail gateways. 
     
     
         13 . Non-transitory computer storage that stores executable instructions that direct a computing system to perform a process that comprises:
 storing a set of preferences in a cascade of repositories that are accessible by a set of messaging services used by a user; and   synchronizing the preferences among the cascade of repositories.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory computer storage of  claim 13 , wherein storing the repositories comprises storing at least a portion of the repositories in locations accessible across an Internet network. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein synchronizing the repositories comprises:
 recording a set of preferences changed by a first messaging service;   sending the set of changed preferences through a set of messages to a second messaging service;   identifying, at the second messaging service, the set of messages; and   updating a repository on the second messaging service with the set of changed preferences.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the repositories include information regarding a user's interactions with a plurality of messaging recipients. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the repositories comprise the messaging recipients' mail clients and mail gateways.